Tony Christie finds his way back to where it all started for South Yorkshire Music Fest

Matt McLennan

Former Conisbrough music icon Tony Christie will return to the town for its third annual Music Fest in July.

Tony will draw on more than 50 years’ worth of hits for his headline slot on July 1 at The Welfare Field, Gardens Lane.

Tony is best known for his version of American icon Neil Sedaka’s song ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo?’ from 1971.

After an early career on the local working men’s club circuit, Tony’s breakthrough came that same year with his first UK top 30 hit, Las Vegas, which made number 21.

It was followed by ‘I Did What I Did for Maria’, which made it to number two (and number one on the New Musical Express chart).

With the help of Peter Kay and Comic Relief, Amarillo soared to the top of the UK chart in 2005.

Over the course of his career, one that includes more than 40 albums, 70 singles and countless live performances, Tony has performed thousands of songs.

His many collaborations have included Sheffield legends Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and Alex Turner.

This year’s festival will boast four stages – one for bands, an acoustic stage, a stage for DJs and a dance stage.

The CMF Band Stage will feature Tony Christie and an array of musical genres including Jungle Lion, who perform ska and reggae, The Inspectors, who play rock covers, indie pop band Ginger Tom and rock and metal outfit The Lost Days.

On an adjacent acoustic stage, there will be blues from the James Taplin Trio, folk from Joe McCorriston and originals courtesy of Darren Eastell and the Freaky Fingers.

Inside the Ivanhoe Centre an all day Northern Soul and Soul Stage will feature the best of local DJs.

Conisbrough has a deep connection with the Northern Soul scene and the Fest is expecting a packed room from 11.30am till 10.30pm.